Bassendream + Q&A

Meandering and mischievous tales of youth, friendship and family.

It’s the last day of the summer school holidays in 1990s Perth. Over 24 hours, a kaleidoscopic chronicle of an ordinary suburb unfolds. Shot on 16mm with a unique and colourful tone and lively pace, Bassendream takes us back to the tender moments, quirky adventures and sense of boundless freedom of our youth, when backyards seemed vast and home just a place to sleep.

A raw, refreshing and playful look at the growing pains of the youth before the internet had all the answers.

Curator's Note

Made up entirely of loosely connected vignettes, Tim Barretto’s feature debut is a nostalgia piece and love letter to Perth suburb Bassendean on the last day of the school holidays in the 90s.

Largely unscripted and shot on 16mm on a micro-budget, the dreamy cinematography takes us back in time, perfectly accompanied with a soundtrack by Dolewave hits by Australian artists including Paul Kelly, Australian Crawl and the Triffids.

– Ella Cawthorn, Film Program Coordinator

Join us for the Victorian Premiere, after festival selections at SXSW Sydney, Revelation Perth International Film Festival & Brisbane International Film Festival.

Crew Night

Before the screening, from 6pm, you can mingle, connect and talk film with fellow cinephiles, creatives and industry folks at the ACMI Cafe + Bar. Find out more about Crew Nights.